Comfort, Safety, and Etiquette

      The trails within reach of Atlanta afford a wide range of hiking experiences. You can take a brief afternoon stroll on a flat, easy path or travel for days in rugged backcountry. Some journeys require much more planning than others, but a hike of any type and duration will be more enjoyable if you take a bit of time to consider things such as your route, the environment you will explore, and things you need to carry. Some knowledge and planning can go a long way in making you safer and more comfortable in the outdoors.

Weather and the Environment

      Before you hit the trail, consider the weather you will face, and dress appropriately for the full spectrum of weather you might experience. Fall daytime temperatures in the Georgia mountains can reach the 70s, while afternoons can be quite cool. Dress in layers so that you can shed or add clothing to regulate your body temperature. Because weather is not totally predictable, it’s also a good idea to pack a waterproof shell when traveling in fall or winter to not only keep you dry in rain but also to shield you from chilly winds.

      Spring is a great time to enjoy blooming wildflowers along the trail, but it’s also the season for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. If you are in the backcountry, avoid hiking and camping on exposed ridges when lightning is present.

      Strong rains can also affect river levels, and some paths, such as the Jacks River Trail in the Cohutta Wilderness, may include several stream crossings. Before your trip, you can call the appropriate agency to check on water levels. You should take extreme caution when crossing swift streams, and it’s a good idea to use trekking poles to improve your balance.

      Summers in Georgia are hot and humid, and the key thing to remember is to drink plenty of water. In the backcountry, stream levels are inconsistent, and drought conditions can leave a creek bone dry. On multiday trips, try to carry as much water as possible, and consult the appropriate agency to learn about current stream conditions. If you take water from streams, be sure to treat it by using a filter or by boiling it to avoid getting sick from waterborne bacteria.

      Insects such as mosquitoes can be heavy along the trails in summer, so be sure to pack whatever repellent you prefer. An insect repellent with at least 30% Deet or 20% Picaridin will also ward off ticks, which are a concern during the spring. It’s recommended that you wear long pants during tick season, and you can ward off ticks by treating clothing with permethrin, which is available at sporting-goods stores. You should also check your body from time to time to see if ticks have hitched a ride. They tend to latch on to warm, moist areas and frequently hide out where the top seams of your socks meet your skin.

      One thing a lot of people don’t think about is sun exposure. Many of Georgia’s trails are shaded by forest, but you can still catch quite a few rays during a day of hiking, so pack (and apply) a high-SPF sunscreen, preferably something that is water-resistant to hold up during heavy sweating.

Preparation

      Many people, especially those new to hiking, have a difficult time knowing just how far they can walk in a day without wearing themselves out—especially when loaded down with a 40-pound backpack. Take an honest assessment of your physical abilities, particularly when you are considering a long hike over difficult terrain. And remember that heat, cold, rain, and the terrain can limit the number of miles you can hike. Before you set out, try to examine a topographic map of the area to see just how much climbing and descending will be involved. This book includes an estimate of the total elevation gain and loss for each trip—the higher the numbers, the more difficult the hike.

      Examine maps to become familiar with the area you will visit. A little studying will come in handy should you get confused and take a trail that is not part of your planned route. Also, if you are planning an overnight hike, consult maps or the appropriate agency to identify available campsites, and prepare a plan B. If you wind up traveling much slower than expected, you may have to bed down somewhere other than your top campsite choice. If you are planning to use water from streams, be sure to examine the map and other information sources for reliable water sources.

Clothing

      Another important step in the planning process is determining the clothing and gear you need. And there may be no more important piece of equipment than your footwear. An ill-fitting pair of shoes or boots can quickly ruin a day in the woods. Whether you choose to wear a lightweight pair of low-cut hiking shoes, a midweight pair of boots, or heavy, all-leather boots, get your footwear well in advance of your hike and test it before hitting the trail. You don’t want to find out halfway through a long day’s journey that your shoes don’t fit. For cold, wet conditions, people often seek out a shoe or boot with a waterproof membrane such as Gore-Tex. That’s a good idea, but keep in mind that, in the South, high levels of humidity limit the ability of waterproof footwear to breathe. Some people prefer to buy a synthetic or leather shoe without a membrane and then add topical waterproofing agents. Also, if you wear shoes while crossing streams, water will flow in through the top and they’ll get completely soaked. In this case, water can escape more easily from a shoe that is not waterproof, and it will dry more quickly. Usually, I carry sandals or water shoes for stream crossings, so that I can keep my main hiking shoes and boots dry.

      It’s also a good idea to invest in a lightweight jacket, or shell, with a waterproof membrane. As with footwear, these products will not breathe as well in the South as they would in a less-humid western environment, but it’s better than having something than doesn’t breathe at all. Also, in chilly conditions, a shell will block wind and help you regulate your body temperature and prevent hypothermia.

      For late fall, winter, and early spring, I also carry a lightweight jacket with synthetic insulation or down. This type of jacket won’t add much weight to your pack and it will help keep you warm if you take a break while hiking, or if an injury or other circumstance forces you to stay out in the elements longer than you expected.

      For your other layers of clothing, opt for things made with synthetic fabrics or wool, rather than cotton. Synthetic fabrics will dry quickest, and in cold weather they will not suck warmth away from your body as much as cotton would. In recent years, wool clothing has become more popular for cool and cold conditions because modern merino, a fine wool, is much softer and more comfortable than wool of the past. To prevent blisters, I typically wear merino socks because they will pull moisture away from my feet, whereas cotton socks just get soaked. You can also wear a synthetic hiking sock, as these will also wick moisture and help keep your feet dry.

      The key to staying comfortable on the trail is to regulate your body temperature so that you are not too cold or too hot for long periods. The trick is to dress in layers. For the fall and winter seasons, or even early spring, pack a thin top and bottom, a light or midweight layer to wear over that, and an insulated jacket to top it off. The final piece is your waterproof shell.

      We lose much of our heat from our extremities, such as our head and hands.